Qld Covid: State opens borders for international travel after 19,932 new cases and 11 deaths

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed why she believes a huge change to international border rules won’t fuel a Covid surge.

The impending arrival of international visitors should not add extra stress to Queensland’s struggling health system, state government says, declaring the reopening of borders an act of certainty for businesses and families separated from loved ones.

From 1am Saturday, fully vaccinated international arrivals will be allowed to fly into the Sunshine State without quarantining.

New arrivals are being asked to do a rapid antigen test within 24 hours as a safety measure, with positive tests urged to isolate or go and see a doctor.

The state government had previously said international arrivals would be allowed once the 90 per cent double dose vaccination rate had been reached.

That figure is currently at 88.8 per cent, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday announcing the time was right to allow overseas visitors in unimpeded.

“We want to give some certainty to the industry and certainty for people who are travelling,” Ms Palaszczuk announced.

The Premier does not believe the influx of new arrivals will significantly add to the state’s surging virus caseload, which rose by nearly 20,000 on Wednesday, including another 11 deaths.

From 1am Saturday, vaccinated international arrivals will be allowed to fly into Queensland. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Like I said, there‘s more virus circulating in Australia at the moment than there would be on a plane load coming in from a different country,” Ms Palaszczuk told media.

“I don’t think it will have a big impact on case numbers.”

However, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath acknowledged the state’s health staff and resources had already been stretched beyond expectations.

More than 6000 hospital and ambulance staff are either infected with Covid-19 or in isolation, while workers have reported being completely overwhelmed by the surge in cases.

Tents have been erected outside major hospitals, including Gold Coast University Hospital, to ensure emergency departments are not overrun.

Today we have recorded 19,932 new COVID-19 cases.

Sadly, we have reported 11 deaths in the past 24 hours.

Full details âž¡ https://t.co/2vvTmliFglpic.twitter.com/f8ZwK6ZG5p

— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) January 19, 2022

Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union assistant secretary Kate Veach said health workers had publicly and repeatedly highlighted existing pressures on the system well before the current Covid-19 outbreak occurred.

“There is no doubt changes to international travel restrictions and increased visitor numbers will increase these pressures,” Ms Veach said.

“Queensland’s health workers are experiencing stress like never before. They’re exhausted and know the pressure will only continue to increase during the anticipated Omicron peak in coming weeks.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Chris Perry said it was unfortunate that the reopening of borders had coincided with the Omicron wave but the state “could not stay closed forever”.

“While international arrivals will be fully vaccinated and won’t have to quarantine, we hope they all show common sense – don’t go out unnecessarily, wear masks, practise social distancing and good hygiene, and stay home if they feel at all unwell,” Mr Perry said.

Along with 11 deaths, Queensland reported 19,932 new infections and a leap in hospitalisations on Wednesday.

There are now 835 Covid patients being cared for in Queensland’s buckling hospital system – up from 819 on Tuesday, and 525 a week ago – with health bosses warning this figure could tip into the thousands as the Omicron wave builds to a crescendo.

ICU admissions rose from 50 to 52 in the past 24 hours and there are still 18 people on ventilators.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reported another leap in coronavirus cases. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Wednesday’s daily Covid tally was higher than the 15,962 cases reported the day before.

Queensland’s death toll now stands at 56, a figure that has leapt eight-fold in the past two weeks.

Wednesday’s fatalities included one unvaccinated person in their 30s, one person in their 50s, two in their 60s one in their 70s, three in their 80s and three in their 90s.

Just two of the victims had received booster shots, both of whom were in residential aged care with significant underlying conditions.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard warned of a tough three weeks ahead for the health system.

On Tuesday he said plans were in place for a significant increase in hospitalisations ahead of the peak of the virus wave in the coming weeks.

“We are planning for numbers in the thousands,” Dr Gerrard said.

“That’s what I would say.”

Ms D’Ath announced 400,000 rapid antigen tests had arrived in Queensland, a quarter of which were provided by the federal government.

Demand is still expected to outstrip this supply, she said.

Wednesday’s update comes after the deadliest day of the pandemic so far for Queensland – and Australia – with the Sunshine State accounting for 16 of Tuesday’s nationwide record of 77 deaths.

Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard on Tuesday stressed the importance of vaccinations – particularly the third shot. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Tight border rules during the first two years of the pandemic helped keep a lid on Queensland Covid cases and fatalities, with the state recording just seven virus deaths as at January 5.

Most virus deaths in Queensland have been elderly people or patients with significant underlying conditions.

Meanwhile, NSW on Wednesday reported another 32 deaths, while 18 more people died in Victoria over the past 24 hours.